Main Navigation

Five Strategies to Overcome Writing Struggles

I’m stuck on repeat like the Twilight Zone. Screw you, Mr. Groundhog! Every time I reach out for my goals in front of me they get pulled further from my grasp.

It’s high school graduation day. I’m driving my wheelchair through the huge checker’s board of Warriors red. My back is sweating and throat is constricting. I see lots of smiles around me. The excitement is building. A deep sense of dread consumes me.

The mind starts racing. A strong force holds back the words deep within our heart. Writing is our greatest joy. Yet, the words stop flowing. There are a few strategies that can help get our writing groove back.

1. Calm the raging storm within

Anxiety starts getting a tighter grip on you. We’re surfing the web instead of writing. The perfectionist mindset takes over. No word is good enough.

Deja vu fears play into our fear of missing out like a bloodthirsty vampire. Your life is not as exciting as your friend’s life. Try swimming with the sharks minus the cage.

The false sense of urgency is a sign of twisted priorities. That TV show can wait. The crazy, homicidal bitch in the water well can crawl out through your TV any minute. Limit your time on the TV and the Web to fight the anxiety.

What activities awaken your soul and calm your mind?

That’s reading and writing for me. Choose the activity that fills your heart with a sense of purpose and brings your life meaning.

You are right where you need to be. Any routine that keeps your pen moving is a gift. Don’t ever give your passion the backseat.

2. Bare your heart until it hurts

Tear open your heart to find the truth on the page. Fear must be challenged. Your potential shines brighter every step you take through the fear. Pain from your past can come back for vengeance like a Japanese horror flick.

Writing through the pain breathes new life into your writing. Pain is the greatest motivator to become the hero of our story. The world is waiting for our story.

Writing is an amazing life compass that helps navigate through life’s obstacles. Our inner battle rages on so we can become a light within the darkness. It’s on the precipice of despair when we discover our incredible strength within.

3. Follow through with the idea

How many times have you written about an idea only to question its quality?

It happens to me many times. The writing stops flowing and the deadline falls through. Perfectionism is a silent assassin that strikes without mercy. It breaks down your confidence until your writing loses the passionate fire. All ideas start to look like failures.

Give your heart the freedom to write whatever comes to mind. Experiment with the words. Follow through with the idea and let it develop on the page without interference. Every word you write matters.

Embrace the adventure without the destination in mind. Your instincts will prevail in the end. A rough idea is a blessing in disguise. The perfect idea is an unexpected outcome.

Trust your instincts and watch your writing confidence soar. Our fears have no power over us when we trust in our abilities. Creativity thrives when we allow our instincts lead us.

4. Free write to fight doubt

Does planning ever create further doubt in your writing abilities?

My mind races like a Formula 1 racecar until the tires spin off their axles. Put aside the outline when the writing stops flowing. A cluttered mind loves to obsess over the details. A plan fuels my obsession with the details. When you get lost in the jungle of words, free write. Let your creativity run wild in any direction it desires. You can go back to the outline the next day.

5. Stop trying to bend time to your will

You cannot be The Flash.

It would be amazing to never have to fight the clock, wouldn’t it?

A deadline is not your enemy. Time doesn’t move slow or fast. It’s our mind telling us where our focus lies. I’m usually stuck in my own head looking for an escape route.

Let the deadline become your greatest motivation. We all want our best ideas to come to us all at once when we want them to.

Cherish the small victories. The writing will come together in the end. When deadlines slip away, our confidence takes a huge hit. Stick to the deadline to build your confidence back up.

What does your battle plan look like to fight your writing fears? Share in the comments.